Faked photos, like the
Billy
Meier UFO photos and the alien autopsy film, or those of
the Cottingly fairies, the
Loch Ness monster, or Bigfoot, are not
considered psychic photos. While there are many faked psychic photos,
some are simply paranormal interpretations of natural events such as various
flaws in camera or film, effects due to various exposures, film-processing
errors, lens flares (caused by interreflection between lens surfaces), the
camera or lens strap hanging over the lens, effects of the flash reflecting
off of mirrors, jewelry, etc., light patterns, polarization, chemical
reactions, etcetera (Nickell 1994, 1997).

The first psychic or spirit photographs appeared almost immediately after the first
photographs. "As early as 1856, prints of ghostly looking ethereal figures
sitting next to the person being photographed were being sold as joke
novelties" (Williams 2000: 205). In 1862, William Mumler made a good living
in Boston using double exposure to produce photographs with alleged spirits
of dead people in them (Williams: 326). Many have followed in Mumler's
footsteps.

Some paranormal researchers, apparently unaware of or unwilling to accept
that spirit photos are faked or misinterpretations of ordinary phenomena,
try to chase down and photograph spirits.

It does seem strange that spirits and other paranormal forces have the
power to appear on film or on electronic devices,
or communicate to a select few in cryptic noises
that must be deciphered by shotgunning in a
game of 20 questions. The spirits never simply sit down at the table and
say directly what is on their minds. In this they are very much like
gods. Perhaps this explains our love for hide and
seek, the children's game that may hold the key to understanding human
nature and the great secrets of the universe.